Related

There are ski resorts where you can happily après ski without ever setting foot on a ski slope. Castle, Fernie and Kimberly are not these kinds of resort. At all three, it’s almost unacceptable to be in a bar without your ski boots on. These resorts to the south of Calgary mark the entry to BC.’.s Powder Highway. (One caveat: Castle is a little detour just before you hit the border). Powder, they have aplenty — along with enough terrain to satisfy skiers and boarders of every stripe.

Castle Mountain Resort

Opening Date: Dec. 13, 2013

Claims to Fame: The words “steep and deep” come up over and over in reviews of Castle. The often under-rated resort is known for windswept deep snow, expert terrain, affordable deals and a long sweet fall line. At 520 vertical metres, the double-diamond Lone Star run is Canada’s longest continuous fall line. Castle claims bragging rights to Alberta’s original cat-skiing terrain.

What’s New: They’ve gone after skiers’ and boarders’ hearts this year by creating some new runs and adding a brand new bar in the T-bar Pub.Runs: 104, plus two terrain parks

Insider Tips: Don’t come looking for glitz and glamour. Come to ski. Start the day with fresh baking from Joe’s Coffee House. On a powder day, duck over into the Ghost Rider Glades where you’ll revel in fresh tracks and no crowds. After a few warm-up runs, head to the South Chutes. Replenish the calorie burn at the end of the day with pizza at the T-bar pub.

What the Olympian Says: Roz Groenewoud is training hard in halfpipe and moguls for Sochi right now while attending Quest University near Whistler. But she started her skiing career at Castle Mountain where she still returns to get away from the pressures of training and competing. “My family has a double-wide trailer on site so it is a great place for family time, both on and off the slopes,” she says. She was a member of Wild West Freestyle Club at Castle (renamed Castle Mountain Freestyle) where she conquered moguls and big air. “The freestyle club’s mogul course is now first-rate,” she says.

Fernie Alpine Resort

Opening Date: Now open

Claims to Fame: Over two decades, Fernie morphed from a little known coal-mining town in the Rockies to Rolling Stone magazine’s Coolest Town in North America. Why the speedy rise? Legendary snowfall, a friendly small-town vibe and terrain suited to skiers of every stripe.

What’s New: You’ll find a few small changes this year such as trail expansions, a winter zipline over the Christmas holidays and a New Monster Energy Enemy Lines Event. The price of an adult daily lift ticket rose $4.

Insider Tips: When they say expert terrain off Polar Peak chair, they mean expert terrain. If you’re expert enough to handle it, it’s a thigh-burning, sometimes windy way to get some awesome tree skiing runs. Celebrate the end of the day with nachos at the Griz. Spend some time in town checking out the local shops. You’ll want to buy some Fernie chocolate and prints from photographer Henry Georgi.

What the Olympian Says: Born and raised in Fernie, Emily Brydon spent 13 years on the Canadian National team, winning Olympic status three times in downhill events. “Fernie taught me to love skiing at the most authentic and basic level,” she remembers. “It was about mountains, friends, family and adventure. I was free on the mountain — free to be me.” As part of the Fernie Snow Valley Ski Club, she spent every weekend on the slopes and still gets back whenever she can. “My favourite aspect of Fernie is the deep powder, steep, long tree runs and the spirit of the people!” Nowadays young racers train on Emily’s Run and Fernie youth also benefits from the Emily Brydon Youth Foundation.

Kimberley Alpine Resort

Opening Date: Now open

Claims To Fame: It’s ideal for families who want ski-in/ski out accommodations, sunny days (it bills itself as B.C.’s sunniest resort) and no queues for lifts. Kimberley is home to the longest illuminated night-skiing run in Western Canada.

What’s New: It looks pretty much the same as last year with the exception of a new beginners’ run down lower mountain from Northstar chair.

Insider Tips: Experts, you’ll find sweet spots in Vortex, Magma and Jackpot off the Easter Chair. Don’t leave town without dining at the German-themed The Old Bauernhaus. Order the veal Wienerschnizel, fondue and a dark German beer. Check out the Kootenay Fondue Experience that includes an after-dark snowshoe tour, followed by chocolate fondue at the mountaintop Kootenay Haus.

Contact info: www.skikimberley.com, 1-250-427-2881

What the Olympian Says: Learning to ski at Kimberley was amazing, according to Josh Dueck, silver medalist in slalom sit-ski at the 2010 Winter Paralympics. “There was a real salt of the earth feel among the ski community and everyone was out for a good time,” says Dueck, who was the first athlete to do a backflip from his “freedom” chair. “It was Kimberley’s atmosphere that got me totally hooked on the sport and is what still keeps me stoked today.” As a child he skied after school each day throughout the winter. “I’d go shred with my buddies and the weekends were totally dedicated to the mountains,” he says. Returning these days for racing events, he loves skiing on the Comet and checking that his picture is still on the Wall of Fame in Kootenay Haus mid-mountain lodge.

-- What the Olympian Says sections were written by Louise Hudson.

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Share

Ski resort guide 2013-14: Resorts to the south offer an entry to the Powder Highway

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.